About HDA

The Helsinki Diplomatic Association (HDA) was formed in May 1980 to promote contacts and friendship among Diplomatic Colleagues and with our Finnish Hosts.  The initial meeting was held on 27 February 1980 followed by a meeting on 2 April 1980, when representatives from 30 diplomatic missions in Helsinki voted on the need to form the club.  The proclamation founding the HDA and electing the first executive board took place on 7 May 1980.  HDA members elected Yugoslav diplomat Cedomir Cvetkovic  as the first board chairman reflecting the nonaligned focus of the club.  Two vice chairman were also elected, American diplomat John Strandford and Soviet diplomat Mihail M. Makarov.  British diplomat Joseph Brady was elected board secretary completing the first HDA Executive Committee.

One of the highlights of the inaugural season was the speech by then Finnish Foreign Minister Paavo Väyrynen in November 1981 on the geographical constraints of Finnish foreign policy.  Numerous dignitaries have spoken to the HDA, including former Finnish Defense Minister Elizabeth Rehn. In addition, the HDA has a number of influential alumni, including Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov.

The main purpose of the HDA is to expand contacts between foreign diplomats and the Finnish community in the following ways:

• By holding meetings to discuss current events with representatives of Finnish political, cultural, and economic life (with guest-speakers, debates).
• By arranging visits to Finnish organizations and trips to places of interest in Finland and abroad.
• By organizing cultural, social, sport or similar events for members and guests.